Can-filling machine



0. H. HANSEN.

CAN FILLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26, 1917.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

0. H. HANSEN. CAN FILLING MACHINE. APPL ICATION FILED MAR. 26. 1917.

1,359,367. Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

35 I I 57 35 as g l I Q6 l 12 I 12 2 L43 i 48 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSWALD H. HANSEN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIG-NOR 0F ONE-HALF TO THE WISCONSIN CHAIR COMPANY, OF PORT WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN.

CAN-FILLING MACHINE.

Application filed March 26, 1917.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, OswALn H. HANSEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Gan-Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of machines for feeding fluent substances to receptacles, and particularly to improvements in machines for filling cans, jars, bottles or the like with liquids or other fluent substances such as peas, beans, corn, tomatoes, berries or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine for feeding fluent substances to receptacles, which. is simple inconstruction and efiicient in operation. Another object is to provide means for reducing to a minimum the manufacturing cost of filling machines. A further object is to provide means whereby a filling machine of "one type may be readily converted into a filler of another type, without necessitating replacement of the entire machine.

A number of types of machines adapte to automatically fill or partially fill receptacles with fluent substances, have been on the market for many years. It has been customary in the manufacture of these machines of the prior art to arbitrarily construct each individual type of machine, without regard to the structural details of other types. The result of such arbitrary construction is that manufacturers exploit-' ing several types of these prior fillers are required to develop independent sets of patterns, jigs and other special machinery for the manufacture of each type of filler, and the manufacturing cost of machines for which there is little demand is consequently excessively high.

It has been found that there are numerous details of construction in many of these filling machines, which may be made com- -mon to all of them, thereby necessitating duced to a minimum and the selling priceof Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N 0v. 16, 1920.

Serial No. 157,308.

machines for which there is little demand, may be considerably reduced.

lVith the present invention, various types of filling machines are provided with common can feeding means, driving mechanism and frame members which elements are constructed to cooperate with any of a number of types of measuring and feeding mechanisms. The measuring and feeding mechanisms are constructed for interchangeable insertion in the standardized frame, thereby permitting ready transformation of a filling machine from one type into an other. 4

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through a filling machine embodying a corn measuring and feeding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section through a filling machine embodying a pea measuring and feeding mechamsm.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section through a filling machine embodying a syrup or brine measuring and feeding mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a transverse horizontal section through a filling machine, the section being taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

The various elements which are common to all types of receptacle filling machines to which the present invention is applicable, will be first described. These common elements may with the aid of the present in.- vention be standardized by the manufacturer, thereby eliminating necessity of duplicating parts.

' The common frame comprises a pair of spaced upright elements 2 connected at their lower extremities by means of parallel bars through opening. Pads 11 formedonthe elements 2 are connected by and form supports for the gear casing 9 which also has a centrally disposed hub formed integrally therewith. Otherpads 10 located upon the frame elements 2 above the pads 11, are connected by and form supports for the can supporting and guiding frame 3. Pads 8 located upon the frame elements 2 above the pads, 10, serve in some instances as supports for cam tracks and in others to support structure forming part of the measurmg and feeding devices, as will be later explained.

The common driving mechanism comprises a power shaft 6 supported in bearings formed integral with the gear casing 9 and having gears 5, 37 secured thereto, see Figs. 1 and 4. The shaft 6 is rotatable by means of power applied to a pulley 42,

the driving connection between this pulley and the shaft 6 being manually controllable by means of a clutch 41. The bevel gear 5 meshes with a larger bevel gear 4 secured to the lower extremity of the vertical shaft 1. The vertical shaft 1 is rotatably supported in hearings in the gear casing 9 and in a sleeve which is vertically adjustably supported in the hub 29 of the frame ele ment 7. The gear 37 meshes with a gear 39 carried by the lower extremity of the vertical shaft 38. The shaft 38 is mounted in a bearing secured to the gear casing 9. The upper end of the shaft 38 is provided with a rotary horizontally disposed can discharging disk 40, a portion of which projects over one side of the can supporting and guiding frame 3. A can remover 43 located above the disk 40 and extending into the path of the cans 13 serves to insure proper removal of the filled cans.

The commgn can transporting means which also includes the can discharging means previously described, comprises a can feeding and guiding frame 44 which termi-.

nates above the frame 3, and a can conveying element 14 secured to the vertical shaft 1. The element 14 is provided with peripheral recesses adapted to successively engage the calls 13 as they are delivered from the frame 44 and to slide them along a circular guide on the frame 3.

Referring specifically to Fig. 1, in which is disclosed a can filling machine embodying a corn measuring and feeding mechanism, similar in structure to that disclosed in Patent 473,885, a rotary corn receptacle 16 having a. series of six or more openings in the bottom thereof, is secured to the vertical shaft 1 by. means of a key 48. A stationary lower extremities of the cylinders 49 abut the can conveying element 14. The measuring chambers formed by the cylinders 49 communcate through passages 22 with the delivery chambers within which plungers 21 are vertically reciprocable. The plungers 21 are guided u on the wall of the receptacle 16 by means 0 guides 47, and are reciprocable to cut ofl the passages 22 and permit filling of the measuring chambers and to subsequently deliver the measured quantities of material to the cans 13, by means of the cam tracks 23 engaged by rollers 24 carried by the plungers 21. The cam tracks 23 are supported from the pads 8 of the frame elements 2. The pistons 19 are reciprocable within the cylinders 49 to alternately measure and deliver the material, by means of piston' rods 20 reciprocable in openings 56 in the element 14. The piston rods 20 carry rollers 25 which are engageable with the cam track 15. The cam track formed on a separate pieceattached to the can support 3. While the drawing discloses only two measuring and delivering devices, it will be understood that six or eight of these devices would ordinarily be employed. The other details of construction of the measuring and delivering mechanism not apparent from the present disclosure, will be readily understood by referring to the specification of Patent 473,885.

During the normal operation of the corn filling machine disclosed in Fig. 1, the vertical shafts l, 38 are rotated in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, by means of power derived from the main shaft 6 through the gears 5, 4, 37., 39. The rotating shaft 1 carries with it the recessed conveying element 14 and receptacle 16, while the shaft 38 carries with it the can discharging disk 40. The cans 1 3 are fed upon the can supporting and gu ding frame 3 and are transported along this frame by means of the element 14. The cans 13 are filled with corn during transportation along the frame 3, being eventually delivered to ceptacle 16 through the opening 18 in the stationary plate 17, into the successive cylinders 49,, while the corresponding pistons 19 and plungers 21 are in thBII'dOWGImOSFJ positions, as indicated at the r ght of Fig. 1. Asthe filled measuring cyllnders are advanced, communication with the receptacle 16 is automatically cut Ofi and the pistons 20 and plungers 21 are operated by means of the cam tracks 15, 23 and rollers 24, 25 to force the measured batches of corn into the adjacent cans 13.

Referring specifically to Fig. 2, m-whlch is disclosed a can filling machine em y g a pea measuring and feeding mechanism,

similar in structure to that disclosed in Patent 1,188,764, the hopper 51 and sealing' ing the sleeve 59 relatively to the frame element 7. The sealing cover 60 is fixed against rotation by means of a rod 63 secured to the plate 7 Q. The pea measuring pockets 61 are rotatably suspended from the sleeve 59,

being vertically adjustable by means of the sleeve 59 and hand wheel 32. The element 62 isrotatable with the pockets 61, being secured to the shaft 1 by means of a key 65.

The element 62 is provided with radial walls which drive the pockets 61, and forms a sliding joint with-the, upper plate of the ele- ,ment 64. The element 64 comprises spaced for this tank, being connected to the frame pads 8.

plates connected by a through passage communicating with the pockets 67 and sealed against communication with the interior of the brine tank 69. The lower plate of the element 64 is provided withan opening. 66

.forming direct communication between the brine tank 69 and the successive pockets 67. The element 64 is fixed against rotation by means of an extension thereon engaging the rod 63. The series of pockets 67 are secured to the shaft 1 by means of a key 68 and have sliding engagement at their upper and lower extremities with the lower plate of the element 64 and with the plate 7 0 respectively. The plate 70. forms a bottom for the brine tank 69 and also forms a means of support The plate 70 has an opening through one portion thereof adapted to de- I liver the measured quantities of peas and brine to the adjacent hoppers 50. The hoppers are secured to a hub 71 which is fixed to the shafql by means of a key 48. The cam 15 and openings 56 which-in the case of Fig. 1 served as actuators and guides respectively for the piston rods 20, serve no useful purpose in the peaiillerand may be omitted, if it is not desired to convert the filling machine into one of another type. Other details of construction and operation of this measuring and 'delivering mechanism, not apparent from the present disclo-- sure, will be readily understood by referring to the specification of Patent 1,188,764. During .the normal operationof the pea filling machine disclosed in Fig. 2, the shaft 1 is rotated as in the case of the corn filler, carrying with it the element 14, hoppers 50, pockets 67 and pea measuring pockets 61. The peas are automatically fed from the hopper 51 into the pockets 61 from which they are discharged in measured quantities to the pockets 67. In the pockets 67 brine is added to the peas, the batches of mixture being eventually delivered to the hoppers 50 from which they are discharged into the adjacent cans 13, The element 14 serves to transport the cans 13 through the machine as hereinabove explained, and a disk 40 actuated as disclosed in Fig. 4, serves to discharge thefilled cans 13.

' Referring specifically to Figs. 3 and 4, in which is disclosed a filling machine embodying a so called syrup measuring and feeding mechanism, similar in some respects to the device disclosed in Patent 1,029,681, a rotary liquid receptacle 30 having a series of liquid feeding devices 35 associated with the bottom thereof, is rotatably suspended from the sleeve 33 by means of a cap 34 secured to the hub 57. The hub 57 is secured to the shaft 1 by means of a key 48. The

sleeve 33 has screw threaded coaction with the central hub of the frame element 7 and has a hand wheel 32 secured thereto for the proper amount has been delivered to the can.

The usual air vent pipes 31 are provided.

and cooperate with the feeding-devices 35 to permit the escape of air. The cam tracks 36 engage rollers 53 associated with the feeding devices 35, and are secured to the pads 8 of the frame elements 2. The cam 15 and openings 56 which in thecase of Fig. 1 served as actuators and guides respectively for thepiston rods 20, serve no usefulpurpose in the liquid filler and may beomitted, if it is not desired to convert the filling machine into one of another type. Other details of construction and operation of this measuring and feeding device not apparent from the present disclosure, will be readily understood by referring to the specification of Patent 1,029,681

Duriiig the. normal operation of the'hquid filling machine disclosed in Figs. -3 and 4, theshaft 1 is rotated as in the case of the corn filler, carrying with it.the element 14, receptacle 30 and feeding devices 35. The feeding devices 35 are automatically actuated by means of the rollers 53 and cam tracksfrom the machine.

While the drawings disclose the inventlon as'applied to only three different types of [measuring and feeding devices, it is obvious that-other measuring and feeding devices,

such as are ordinarily employed to measure and feed tomatoes, kraut, spaghetti, milk and other liquids, may also be designed to cotiperate with one 0 r m'ore of applicants common elements. It will be noted that with the present invention, either the frame structure, the driving mechanism or the can transporting means may be furnished as an article of manufacture, these elements being cooperable with any of the measuring and feeding devices disclosed, regardless of the employment of anyof the other common elements. The measuring and feeding devices are preferably made. interchangeable so that a filler of-one type may be readily converted into another type by merely replacing the measuring and feeding mechanism. The manufacturing cost is also enormously reduced dueto the fact that a manufacturer of several types of fillers is with the use of the present invention, required to carry'in stock only one style or type of frame structure, can transporting mecha v nism and driving mechanism.

It should be understood that it is not desired to be limited to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to a person skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a can filling machine, frame structure, can transporting structure associated with said frame structure, and drive structure associated with at least one of said structures, said structures being formed for interchangeable association with different types of can filling mechanisms.

2. In a can filling machine, frame structure, can transporting structure supportedby said frame structure, and drive structure for. operating said transporting structure, said structures being formed for interchangeablev coiiperation with different types of can filling mechanisms.

3. In a can filling machine,frame structure, can transportingstructure supported by said frame structure, and drive structure supported b said frame structure, said structures being formed for interchangeable cooperation with different types of can filling mechanisms.

4. In a can filling machine, frame structure, can transporting structure supported by said frame structure, and drive structure supported by said frame structure and oooperable with said transporting structure to I I drive the same, said structures being formed for interchangeable association with diifer ent types of can filling mechanisms.

5. In a can filling machine, frame struc-.

ture, can transporting structure, and driven structure, said structures being formed for interchangeable cooperation with differenttypes of can fillingmechanisms, the first to support a mechanism, the second to trans- \port cans in properrelation to be filled by said mechanism, and the third to drive said mechanism.

6. In a can filling machine frame structure, can transporting structure supported by said frame structure, and drive structure J for said transporting structure, said struc-' structure, and drive structure supported by machine, frame struea horizontally medial portion of said frame structure, said structures being formed for interchangeable cooperation with different types of can filling mechanisms.

. In testimony whereof the signature of the inventor is aflixed hereto.

OSWALD H. HANSEN. I 

